Temple of Emperor Yan

　　The Temple of Emperor Yan is situated in Yan Di Yuan Park on the western section of Jinger Road in downtown Baoji. Many historical temples to Emperor Yan in Baoji were destroyed in wars. The current temple in Yan Di Yuan Park was rebuilt and opened to the public in August 1993. The plaque above the gate is inscribed with four golden Chinese characters meaning “Hometown of Emperor Yan,” written by the former Vice Premier of the State Council and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress during the 1993 Baoji Emperor Yan Festival. Fei Xiaotong, the former Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, also inscribed the name of the park. Every year on Tomb-Sweeping Day, the Baoji Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government organize memorial ceremonies for Emperor Yan, attended by party and government officials, people from home and abroad, and members of the public. Covering an area of 9,000 square meters with a construction area of 3,863 square meters, the main hall of the temple stands 21 meters high and features a high-platform architectural style modeled after the Qin and Han dynasties, giving it a majestic appearance. The statue of Emperor Yan inside the temple is 5.5 meters tall, dignified and grand. The mural paintings in the hall cover an area of 214 square meters and depict scenes of Emperor Yan as the God of Agriculture, God of the Sun, and God of Medicine. They vividly illustrate how China’s ancestor, Emperor Yan, pioneered farming tools, taught people to cultivate grains, gathered herbs to cure diseases, tasted hundreds of plants for the benefit of the people, and created musical instruments. The western corridor features inscriptions by numerous notable figures from across the country, praising the virtues and achievements of Emperor Yan. The park is surrounded on three sides by evergreen pine, cypress, and flowers. In April 2004, the Baoji Municipal Government decided to demolish the park’s entrance gate and open up a public square. Today, it has become a popular place for local residents to exercise in the morning, enjoy music in the evening, and have fun.